Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese, was the first European navigator who doubled the Cape of Good Hope.

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With such mad seas the daring Gama fought

Incessant labouring round the stormy Cape.

Thomson: Summer.

Vasco da Gama. The hero of Camoëns Lusiad. He is represented as sagacious, intrepid, tender-hearted, pious, fond of his country, and holding his temper in full command. He is also the hero of Meyerbeers posthumous opera, LAfricaine.